GTEK vs. AAAU

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

GTEK (Goldman Sachs Future Tech Leaders Equity ETF) and AAAU (Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GTEK is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by Goldman Sachs, while AAAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold PM Price. GTEK is actively managed, while AAAU is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, GTEK returned 30.99%/yr vs 29.80%/yr for AAAU. At a 0.16 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GTEK charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for AAAU.

Performance

GTEK vs. AAAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs Future Tech Leaders Equity ETF (GTEK) and Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GTEK achieves a 41.76% return, which is significantly higher than AAAU's 0.05% return.

GTEK

• 1D: -7.55%
• 1M: 3.25%
• YTD: 41.76%
• 6M: 40.44%
• 1Y: 65.24%
• 3Y*: 30.99%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AAAU

• 1D: -3.64%
• 1M: -8.02%
• YTD: 0.05%
• 6M: 2.64%
• 1Y: 28.42%
• 3Y*: 29.80%
• 5Y*: 17.72%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

GTEK vs. AAAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
GTEK Goldman Sachs Future Tech Leaders Equity ETF	41.76%	23.68%	15.94%	33.58%	-46.73%	-3.14%
AAAU Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF	0.05%	64.06%	26.91%	12.96%	-0.50%	4.18%

Correlation

The correlation between GTEK and AAAU is 0.20, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.20
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 17, 2021	0.16

Return for Risk

GTEK vs. AAAU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

GTEK

GTEK Risk / Return Rank: 80
GTEK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
GTEK Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
GTEK Omega Ratio Rank: 71
GTEK Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
GTEK Martin Ratio Rank: 89

AAAU

AAAU Risk / Return Rank: 30
AAAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
AAAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
AAAU Omega Ratio Rank: 33
AAAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
AAAU Martin Ratio Rank: 27

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

GTEK vs. AAAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs Future Tech Leaders Equity ETF (GTEK) and Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	GTEK	AAAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.42	1.07	+1.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.00	1.45	+1.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.22	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.89	1.43	+4.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.92	3.62	+15.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GTEK vs. AAAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GTEK Sharpe Ratio is 2.42, which is higher than the AAAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GTEK and AAAU, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GTEK	AAAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.42	1.07	+1.35
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.99	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.26	1.06	-0.80

Drawdowns

GTEK vs. AAAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GTEK drawdown since its inception was -53.77%, which is greater than AAAU's maximum drawdown of -21.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GTEK and AAAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	GTEK	AAAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.77%	-21.63%	-32.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.13%	-20.00%	+8.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.49%	-20.00%	-7.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-20.94%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.00%	-20.00%	+12.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-27.48%	-6.19%	-21.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.46%	7.86%	-4.40%

Volatility

GTEK vs. AAAU - Volatility Comparison

Goldman Sachs Future Tech Leaders Equity ETF (GTEK) has a higher volatility of 12.47% compared to Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU) at 5.66%. This indicates that GTEK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AAAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GTEK	AAAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.47%	5.66%	+6.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.24%	23.25%	-0.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.08%	26.59%	+0.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.49%	17.90%	+10.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.49%	17.04%	+11.45%

GTEK vs. AAAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

GTEK has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than AAAU's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

GTEK vs. AAAU - Dividend Comparison

Neither GTEK nor AAAU has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
AAAU Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
GTEK Goldman Sachs Future Tech Leaders Equity ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.26%	0.03%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GTEK and AAAU in my portfolio?

GTEK and AAAU have a correlation of 0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GTEK or AAAU?

GTEK has higher volatility (12.47%) compared to AAAU (5.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GTEK dropped -53.77% vs AAAU's -21.63%.

Which ETF is better, GTEK or AAAU?

On 3-year performance, GTEK leads with 30.99% vs 29.80% for AAAU. On fees, AAAU is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, AAAU has been the lower-risk option at 5.66%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GTEK or AAAU?

Over the 3-year period, GTEK has performed better with a 30.99% return vs 29.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GTEK or AAAU?

AAAU is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for GTEK.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GTEK or AAAU?

GTEK and AAAU have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between GTEK and AAAU?

GTEK is categorized as Technology Equities, while AAAU is Gold. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for GTEK and 0.18% for AAAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GTEK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs 1.07), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.